When you browse the Internet, you may find from time to time that a website will automatically open another window, called a pop-up. In some cases, this pop-up might be a simple request to take a survey about your experiences with the site. In others, it can be an annoying and distractingly flashy ad that interferes with your browsing experience. Fortunately, you have a way to avoid this experience. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer all offer the option to block pop-ups.

Google Chrome

Step 1

Browse using Google Chrome to avoid website pop-ups. Chrome automatically blocks these pop-ups without you needing to direct it to do so.

Step 2

Look in your address bar as you are browsing. If Google Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small blue box with a red X in its lower right corner will appear in the address bar. Click on this icon to see a list of the pop-ups Google Chrome has blocked. To view one of these pop-ups, simply click on it.

Step 3

Click the wrench icon at the end of the address bar then on "Options" if you are receiving pop-ups in Google Chrome. Click on the "Under the Hood" tab, then click on "Content Settings." Select "Pop-ups" from the list, then click the circle beside "Do not allow any site to show pop-ups (recommended)" to turn the pop-up blocker back on.

Step 4

Click on the wrench icon if you wish to enable pop-ups. Click "Options" in the drop-down list that appears to open a new window, then click the "Under the Hood" tab in this window. Click the "Content Settings" button, then select "Pop-ups" from the list of options that appears. Click the button beside "Allow all sites to show pop-ups," then click "Close."

Mozilla Firefox

Step 1

Browse using Mozilla Firefox to avoid website pop-ups. Firefox automatically blocks these pop-ups without you needing to direct it to do so.

Step 2

Look just below your list of tabs as you are browsing. If Mozilla Firefox blocks a pop-up, a line of text saying so will appear just below the tabs.

Step 3

Click on the "Options" button in this line then on "Allow/Block pop-ups for this site" to allow pop-ups from the particular site you are browsing, if you wish to. Click "Options," then "Edit Pop-up Blocker Options" for more options, such as allowing pop-ups on all sites (by unchecking the box next to "Block pop-up windows").

Step 4

Click "Tools" and then click "Options" if you are receiving pop-ups in Mozilla Firefox. Click on the "Content" tab, then click the box beside "Block pop-up windows" to turn the pop-up blocker back on.

Internet Explorer

Step 1

Browse using Internet Explorer to avoid website pop-ups. Internet Explorer automatically blocks these pop-ups without you needing to direct it to do so.

Step 2

Look just below your list of tabs as you are browsing. If Internet Explorer blocks a pop-up, a line of text saying so will appear just below the tabs.

Step 3

Click on the line of text for more options, including "Temporarily Allow Pop-ups" and "Always Allow Pop-ups from This Site."

Step 4

Click "Tools," then "Pop-up Blocker," then "Turn On Pop-up Blocker" if you are receiving pop-ups in Internet Explorer. If "Turn On Pop-up Blocker" is not an option, click "Pop-up Blocker Settings" instead. This will open a new window. Click on the "Blocking level" options at the bottom and change the blocking level to "High" to block more pop-ups.

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About the Author

Morgan O'Connor has been writing professionally since 2005. Her experience includes articles on various aspects of the health-insurance industry for health-care newsletters distributed to hospitals as well as articles on both international and domestic travel.